The Metropolitan Police was on Monday facing another race row storm after four officers arrested a black woman in front of her “distressed” young son because they wrongly believed she had dodged paying her bus fare.
The force confirmed it has referred itself to the Office for Police Conduct to investigate the incident that took place in Croydon on Friday, July 21.
Footage shared on social media shows the woman being restrained and handcuffed by policemen while a female PC attempts to comfort her crying child and another officer looks on.
Met officers were conducting a joint operation with Transport for London inspectors in Whitehorse Road, Croydon, when they asked the mother to prove she had paid the £1.75 fare.
A spokesman said she refused the inspector’s request and “attempted to walk off and became abusive”.
They added: “When it was later established that the woman had paid she was de-arrested and allowed to go on her way.”
However, MPs on Monday called for a meeting with Mayor Sadiq Khan over the incident and called on senior officers to explain why an arrest took place.
Brent Central MP Dawn Butler said: “Being over policed is a real issue in the black community, and this interaction proves that.
“I also thought it was a fine not arrest if someone avoids paying a bus fare, so why was she arrested?”
Vauxhall MP Florence Eshalomi said there “needs to be a clear explanation” for the use of force.
She added: “It is distressing for both the mother and the child. There is a meeting planned and hopefully there will be answers.”
In video posted online, the woman can be seen struggling with two male officers while screaming: “What the hell, get off me, what are you doing?”
An onlooker can be heard saying: “Please calm down, they will split you up from your child.”
There is a distressing video circulating online with a woman handcuffed in front of her young son. Please be careful sharing this online to help protect this young boy who is very traumatised by the situation. Myself and other colleges have raised this with the Mayor of London 😞 pic.twitter.com/KZtNV81KkP
— Florence Eshalomi MP (@FloEshalomi) July 23, 2023
In March, a report by Baroness Louise Casey found the Met was suffering from collapsing public trust and could be described as institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.
In a statement, the Met Police acknowledged that “the video and circumstances look concerning”.
“However, it is a snapshot of a wider incident,” a statement added. “The video from this incident and the officer’s body-worn video, which was active for a longer period than the social media clip, have been reviewed.
“Our officers regularly liaise with local community groups and forums and we will be discussing the matter with them and listening to their views.”
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist added: “It is clear from the video that has been shared online that this incident was distressing for the woman involved and particularly for her child.
“We understand why it has prompted significant public concern and we want to be transparent about our position and the role of our officers.
“Given the level of community concern generated we believe it is in the public interest to voluntarily refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review.”
A spokeman for the Mayor of London said: “The footage circulating online is troubling to watch and the Mayor is clear that it is right that this matter has been referred to the IOPC so that the full circumstances can be independently reviewed.
“The Mayor recognises the concerns many Londoners will have following this incident and remains determined to ensure the Met continues its work to rebuild trust with all of the capital’s diverse communities.
“That is why he is backing community-centred approach to policing by consent – as set out in the New Met for London Plan - where police officers actively listen, understand and respond to the concerns of our communities, particularly those who have been let down for far too long.”
